Nadya Tolokonnikova

Nadya Tolokonnikova
Надя Толоконникова
Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova
Nadya Tolokonnikova in 2023
Born
Nadezhda Andreyevna Tolokonnikova

(1989-11-07) November 7, 1989 (age 35)
NationalityRussian
Other namesNadya Tolokno (Надя Толокно)
EducationMoscow State University
Occupation(s)Political activist, performance artist
Years active2008–present
Organization(s)Voina, Pussy Riot
Known forProvocative political protests; imprisonment for hooliganism
Criminal chargeHooliganism motivated by "religious hatred"
Criminal penalty2 years imprisonment
Criminal statusConvicted on August 17, 2012, released under amnesty on December 23, 2013
Spouses
(m. 2008; div. 2016)
John Caldwell
(m. 2024)
Children1
AwardsLennonOno Grant for Peace
Hannah Arendt Prize (shared with fellow band-mate Maria Alyokhina)

Nadezhda Andreyevna "Nadya" Tolokonnikova (Russian: Надежда Андреевна "Надя" Толоконникова, IPA: [nɐˈdʲeʐdə ɐnˈdrʲejɪvnə ˈnadʲə təlɐˈkonʲːɪkəvə]; born November 7, 1989)[1][2] is a Russian musician, conceptual artist, and political activist. She is a founding member of the feminist group Pussy Riot, and has a history of political activism with the street art group Voina.[3]

On August 17, 2012, she was arrested for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" after a performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow and was ultimately sentenced to two years' imprisonment. On December 23, 2013, she was released early alongside fellow Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina under a newly passed amnesty bill dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Russian constitution.[4]

While jailed, Tolokonnikova was recognized as a political prisoner by the Russian human rights group Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners.[5] Amnesty International named her a prisoner of conscience due to "the severity of the response of the Russian authorities".[6] On December 30, 2021, Russia's Ministry of Justice added Tolokonnikova to its list of "foreign agents".[7]

Currently she lives outside Russia, but does not disclose where for safety reasons.[8]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference politzeky.ru was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Canada was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Ottesen, KK (March 19, 2019). "Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova reflects on the roots of her rebellion". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
  4. ^ Толоконникова получила на руки документы об освобождении [Tolokonnikova received the release papers] (in Russian). Gazeta.ru. December 23, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference rosbalt.ru was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference amnesty was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Russia declares Pussy Riot member, art collector and satirist 'foreign agents'". France 24. December 30, 2021. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT Wedding was invoked but never defined (see the help page).